Mayor announces funding for homeless prevention and 're-housing'
Nickels: Stimulus money will help end cycle of homelessness

SEATTLE – Mayor Greg Nickels today announced the city of Seattle is awarding $4.3 million in federal and local funding to 10 agencies (for 13 programs) to prevent more than 1,600 low-income households from becoming homeless over the next two years. Another $1.1 million will help more than 100 homeless families move from shelters and the street into affordable housing.

"Especially in these difficult economic times, it is important that we help provide stable housing for our most vulnerable individuals and families. This funding will also help quickly move homeless families into permanent housing, supporting our efforts to end the cycle of homelessness," said Nickels.

The funding, much of it from the federal stimulus, will support a variety of programs providing short- and medium-term financial assistance to those who might otherwise become homeless. This includes short-term rental assistance (up to three months), medium-term rental assistance (up to 12 months), security deposits, utility deposits, utility payments, and help with moving costs. Agencies will make payments directly to third parties, such as landlords or utility companies. Housing stabilization and relocation services, including case management, tenant counseling and legal services to prevent eviction, are also included in these funding awards.

In June, the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) announced the availability of $5.4 million from three sources: $3.6 million in federal stimulus funding, $1.3 million from the federal Community Development Block Grant program, and $568,000 from the city of Seattle general fund. The city awarded funding to the following local community agencies:

Family Rapid Re-Housing Agencies

• Solid Ground
• Wellspring Family Services
• YWCA of Seattle, King County, Snohomish County

Homelessness Prevention Agencies

• Catholic Community Services
• El Centro de la Raza
• International District Housing Alliance
• Neighborhood House
• Refugee Federation Service Center
• Solid Ground
• The Salvation Army
• Wellspring Family Services
• YMCA of Greater Seattle
• YWCA of Seattle, King County, Snohomish County

The city of Seattle has received funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program, a new program created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

To track the city of Seattle's progress as it seeks federal stimulus funds, visit www.recovery.seattle.gov. This site provides information about the projects for which Seattle is seeking funding, and, if funding is granted, how the money is being spent. Seattle is seeking stimulus funding for projects in the following categories: community development, economic development, energy, environment, public safety, social services and transportation.

Get the Nickels Newsletter and the mayor's inside view on transportation, public safety, economic opportunity and healthy communities at mayor.seattle.gov

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Office of the Mayor